London nonprofit transforms community spaces into inspiring, inclusive hubs

The Flourish Group is revitalising London’s public spaces with vibrant, community-led interiors that foster ownership, wellbeing, and cultural connection, challenging traditional norms of public space design.

“If you invest in a space, and make it beautiful and inspirational, people take ownership of it—they look after it, respect it, love it,” said Fran Lee, founder of the Flourish Group, a London-based nonprofit design studio dedicated to proving that good design can transform lives and should be accessible to all.

Since 2024, the Flourish Group has embarked on a mission to revitalise community centres across London, starting with The Exchange in Maida Vale. This previously vacant social housing space was converted into a warm, inviting public living room adorned with vibrant murals, eclectic soft furnishings, and personalised artworks. The approach deliberately contrasts with conventional community centres, which often prioritise function over form, resulting in sterile environments dominated by plastic chairs and wipe-clean surfaces designed to avoid damage at all costs. Lee challenges this norm, questioning, “When was the last time you went into a public library and thought, ‘I want to hang out here all day’?” Her vision seeks to bridge the gap between design experiences reserved for the wealthy and those available to everyday people, proving such efforts are both feasible and impactful even on tight budgets.

Lee’s motivation is both professional and deeply personal. Growing up in a working-class family with limited means but surrounded by creativity—her mother was a curtain-maker, and family involved in antiques—she developed an appreciation for interiors early on, tempered by financial constraints. After a career spanning fashion, events, and television, including a stint on BBC’s Interior Design Masters in 2022, Lee saw the potential to repurpose her skills to benefit communities often overlooked by the design industry. Unlike traditional interiors projects focused on affluent clients, she wanted to create beautiful, functional spaces for people in modest circumstances, like Janet, a mother living in a cramped flat with three children, whose needs often go unheard.

Opportunity came in 2022 when Lee volunteered to transform a space being handed over by Westminster Council. Working with a shoestring budget and sourcing pre-owned items—such as a Victorian washbasin stand and 1970s mugs—the result impressed local authorities enough to commission further projects. Flourish was born as a nonprofit entity to continue this community-centred work, operating on a social enterprise model where profits are reinvested into expanding their impact. The organisation enjoys support from notable figures like designer Matthew Williamson and operates with a dedicated team that includes facilitators, project managers, and design heads, all committed to social equity and inclusive creativity.

A key element setting Flourish apart is its authentic community engagement. Lee criticises the often superficial consultation practices typical in public projects, where input is reduced to tick-box exercises managed by external agencies. Instead, Flourish designers lead co-design workshops directly with residents, allowing users to actively shape the spaces intended for their use. One workshop in Maida Vale engaged 90 residents who created mood boards that informed the final design, ensuring that the output resonated culturally and aesthetically. Such thorough engagement produces spaces enriched with elements reflecting the diverse heritage of the communities—incorporating Moroccan, Persian, and Asian motifs—that evoke memory, spark conversation, and even support wellbeing issues such as dementia by fostering connection and reducing isolation.

The impacts of these efforts are evident anecdotally. At The Exchange, for example, a previously isolated retiree from the atop residence now regularly visits to read and socialise, a small but meaningful testament to the project’s success. Nevertheless, to persuade funders and decision-makers who demand empirical evidence, Flourish collaborates with nonprofit researchers to quantify benefits, deploying pre- and post-project surveys to capture improvements in happiness and repeat visits. Lee hopes the growing recognition of social responsibility within architecture will also encourage more professionals to engage with such nonprofits, enhancing brand value while contributing positively to society.

Beyond the aesthetics and community engagement, Flourish’s wider mission embraces cultural transformation, aspiring to shift how public and community spaces are designed over time. This includes promoting equity, resilience, and wellbeing through art resources and creative workshops. Flourish’s model integrates not just inspirational interiors but also creative workshops and accessible art supplies distribution, united by a ethos of inclusion and justice. Their ongoing projects encompass mini-community hubs alongside major libraries, reflecting a holistic approach that nurtures creativity and connection within urban settings.

Lee acknowledges progress will be gradual, but remains optimistic. “Decision-makers need to shift their mindsets, which takes a long time,” she said. Flourish’s structured approach and community-first focus offer a blueprint for change, aiming to make inspirational, welcoming public spaces the norm rather than the exception.

📌 Reference Map:

• Paragraph 1 – ^[1] (The Architect’s Newspaper)
• Paragraph 2 – ^[1] (The Architect’s Newspaper)
• Paragraph 3 – ^[1] (The Architect’s Newspaper)
• Paragraph 4 – ^[1] (The Architect’s Newspaper), ^[2] (The Flourish Group)
• Paragraph 5 – ^[1] (The Architect’s Newspaper), ^[4] (The Flourish Group)
• Paragraph 6 – ^[1] (The Architect’s Newspaper), ^[5] (Church Street.org)
• Paragraph 7 – ^[1] (The Architect’s Newspaper)
• Paragraph 8 – ^[3] (The Flourish Group), ^[4] (The Flourish Group), ^[2] (The Flourish Group)
• Paragraph 9 – ^[1] (The Architect’s Newspaper)

Source: Noah Wire Services

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score:
8

Notes:
The narrative appears to be original, with no evidence of prior publication. The earliest known publication date of similar content is October 2025. The report is based on a press release from The Flourish Group, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were found. The content has not been republished across low-quality sites or clickbait networks. The inclusion of updated data alongside older material suggests a higher freshness score but should be flagged. ([theflourishgroup.org.uk](https://www.theflourishgroup.org.uk/?utm_source=openai))

Quotes check

Score:
9

Notes:
The direct quotes from Fran Lee, founder of The Flourish Group, are unique to this report. No identical quotes appear in earlier material, indicating potentially original or exclusive content. No variations in quote wording were found.

Source reliability

Score:
9

Notes:
The narrative originates from The Architect’s Newspaper, a reputable organisation. The Flourish Group is a Community Interest Company Limited by Guarantee dedicated to designing for social good and promoting creativity within communities. The organisation’s website provides detailed information about its mission, team, and projects, enhancing its credibility. ([theflourishgroup.org.uk](https://www.theflourishgroup.org.uk/?utm_source=openai))

Plausability check

Score:
8

Notes:
The claims made in the narrative are plausible and align with The Flourish Group’s mission and previous projects. The report includes specific details about the transformation of The Exchange in Maida Vale, supported by information from The Flourish Group’s website. The narrative lacks supporting detail from other reputable outlets, which is a concern. The tone and language are consistent with the region and topic. No excessive or off-topic detail unrelated to the claim is present. The tone is appropriately formal and professional.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH

Summary:
The narrative is original and based on a press release from The Flourish Group, a reputable organisation. The quotes are unique, and the claims are plausible and supported by the organisation’s website. The lack of supporting detail from other reputable outlets is a minor concern but does not significantly impact the overall assessment.